90-Year-Old Hudson Valley Driver Plunges Into Old Rail Bed

On Thursday around 9:15 a.m., Kingston police responded to Delaware Avenue at Hasbrouck Avenue for a report of a car that had left the roadway, traveled over the edge of an abandoned railroad tunnel and plunged to the old rail bed below.

Upon arrival, the vehicle was found nose down and upside down, leaning against the tunnel wall in an unstable position with the driver still in the vehicle.

Emergency personnel talked with the driver while trying to stabilize the car. Firefighters were able to enter the vehicle and remove the man who was suspended by his seatbelt, police say.

The man was treated by medical personnel for neck and back injuries and taken to Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital for further treatment.

An investigation determined a 2008 Dodge Durango, operated by 38-year-old Florence Schoonmaker of Kingston, was stopped at a stop sign on Delaware Avenue at the intersection with Hasbrouck Avenue and Livingston Street.

A 2009 Chevy Impala driven by 90-year-old Robert Gorsline of Kingston rear-ended the Durango, which was stopped in front of him, police say.

Gorsline’s vehicle continued through the intersection and left the roadway, going over the edge of the tunnel-top down to the rail bed below, according to Kingston Police.

Schoonmaker was not injured. The investigation into the accident is continuing.